Richard “Tazzy” V. Peyope, 45, of Fort Hall passed away, Monday, Oct. 7, 2013 from a fatal car accident in Gibson.
Tazzy was born in Blackfoot on June 8, 1968 to Ardith M. Peyope and Wilford E. Peyope. He was one of four children and grew up on the Fort Hall Indian Reservation. In his youth, he kept score for “Sak” and liked hanging out at the Timbee Hall Recreation Center. He was competitive and usually took first in local Halloween dances and in hand game tournaments. He also attended the annual Bear dances in Utah and Colorado.

Richard “Tazzy” V. Peyope, 45, of Fort Hall passed away, Monday, Oct. 7, 2013 from a fatal car accident in Gibson.
Tazzy was born in Blackfoot on June 8, 1968 to Ardith M. Peyope and Wilford E. Peyope. He was one of four children and grew up on the Fort Hall Indian Reservation. In his youth, he kept score for “Sak” and liked hanging out at the Timbee Hall Recreation Center. He was competitive and usually took first in local Halloween dances and in hand game tournaments. He also attended the annual Bear dances in Utah and Colorado.
Tazzy was an avid hand game player, a gambler, a spontaneous traveler, an expert bead worker, and an antique prospector. He was so spontaneous, that he would often leave on a whim to visit family and friends, and/or gamble and play in hand game tournaments. He enjoyed listening to oral history stories and learning the old Native American songs when he visited with the elders. He was thoughtful and generous in giving gifts or helping out family and friends. He had a “green thumb” and loved to plant flowers around the house.
Tazzy was currently employed at the Fort Hall Casino, where he began his 18-year career starting in the security department, then transferred into Bingo as a floor worker and eventually became a Bingo supervisor. For years, Tazzy coordinated various hand game tournaments and helped establish the Fort Hall Casino’s Annual Memorial Hand Game Tournament.
Tazzy leaves behind his mother, Ardith; a brother, Timothy (Monica); two sisters, Diana Peyope and Alfreda Denny; two nieces, Catherine Jessica and Amber Lily, (whom he loved very much); his maternal grandmother, Alvina Fred Mendez; and four uncles and four aunts along with numerous cousins and relatives..
Tazzy was preceded in death by his father, Wilford; a sister, Josette Weiser; stepfather, Johah Mink and two uncles, Wallace Zundell and Mel Alex.
On Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 9, 2013 Tazzy was taken to the Peyope residence at 1331 North ‘C’ Street in Fort Hall where family and friends will gather until the service on Friday.
A memorial service will be held at 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 11, 2013 at the Timbee Hall Recreation Center in Fort Hall.
A traditional burial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013 at the Cedar Cemetery.
Condolences may be sent to the family at condolences@hawkerfuneralhome.com